Thanks to David for pointing out Lori Sturdevant's article in today's STrib concerning current operating procedures in our 14 branch community libraries. Most attention these days is focused on the new downtown Central Library that Cesar Pelli was recently commissioned to design. Yes, it will be grand to have a bright, new Central Library. However, as Lori points out in her article, for most library users, the action remains focused at the local neighborhood level-- in the branch community libraries. In fact, according to the Minneapolis Public Library (MPL) 2000 Annual Report, two-thirds of total circulation in the MPL system was in community libraries; 85 percent of total juvenile circulation was in community libraries.
In the article, Library director Mary Lawson is quoted as saying "...the library board and administrators are adjusting their budgets now to prepare for the increased volume a new downtown library is likely to generate." Undoubtedly, service and programming demands will increase at the new downtown library; more operating funds will be needed to adequately meet these new library patron demands. Mary Lawson continues, "...if we expect to have more hours, the budget will have to increase ... The level of service that can be provided is really a choice that the community has to help us make." Does this mean operating funds will be shifted from community libraries to the new downtown library, or does it mean overall operating funds must be increased? If the latter, does that mean another increase in local property taxes? Where else will the needed funds come from? As I have stated here and elsewhere over the past year, the recent library referendum provides for capital construction costs, but not for the increased operational funds that will be needed to actually run these bigger and better library facilities. Last fall's referendum was misleading in that only two-thirds of the needed funds were provided for. The thinking was that we will build the facilities and then figure out how to operate them. The public is always the lender of last resort with too many public officials! Lori points out the inadequacy of current community library operating hours, even with the recently added Sunday hours in four locations. As these local neighborhood libraries are renovated, expanded and rebuilt, they will experience dramatic demands for increased usage. What good are new facilities if operating hours, programs and services are inadequate? As an Independent Candidate for the Library Board, I am working for a library system the public can be proud of believe in and afford. My four priorities for the MPL system include: 1. Develop and maintain a first-rate library system, with increased access to information, technology and community learning-- both at the Central Library and, equally important, in the neighborhoods. 2. Develop more responsible budgeting practices-- establish a balanced budget for both operating and capital requirements; for the new downtown Central Library, the community libraries and the planetarium. This is needed to protect city taxpayers from excessive demands for property tax dollars. 3. Provide increased fiscal accountability and establish a major multi-source funding strategy that fosters sensible public investment, leverages other public-private partnerships and coordinates alliances with the county to supplement city tax revenues. We need an active and operational MPL Foundation to continually be raising funds for our library system-- something that is not currently being done. I believe a business operational model that strives for greater productivity, innovation and continual improvement, as design and construction of the new downtown library begins and branch libraries' improvements commence is critical. 4. Provide a family-friendly learning environment for the community and a safe workplace-- establish a 'common sense' Internet-access policy for children to use filtered-access Internet terminals so that parents feel confident sending their children to the library, while adults are offered both filtered and unfiltered access options. For our public libraries to be first-rate, I believe in and support First Amendment rights-- but with those rights, come responsibilities-- for individuals and our community. Library Internet policy should be consistent with legal precedent and community standards. The Library's current Internet policy is inadequate. My Internet access position represents a socially compelling and fiscally responsible approach to Internet access within the MPL system. I'll have much more to say in future posts to the list regarding our public library system in Minneapolis. Michael Hohmann Independent Candidate, Minneapolis Public Library Board of Trustees www.mikeforlibrary.org www.mahohmannbizplans.com > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > List Manager > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:46 PM > To: 'Mpls list' > Subject: [Mpls] Strib opinion piece on community libraries > > > Strib's Lori Sturdevant makes a plea to pay attention to library board > elections > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/765215.html > > David Brauer > List manager snip _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
